Metallic structure.



R. G. BULLOCK AND H E. LEAVE.

METALLIC STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 1. ms

1 303,850. Patented May 20, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHET I.

K) N b R. G. BULLOCK AND H. E. LEAVE.

METALLIC STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED 050. I, I916.

Patented May 20, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Sumutom .jiiiiiXf" d G.- ullacfi.

R. G. BULLOCK AND H. E. LEAVE.

METALLIC STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 1. 1916.

L303,85@ Patented May 20, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ammo m aarmonn e. BULLOCK AND mam n. LEAVE, or minns'rown, new YonK, nssren'ons TO THE ART METAL CONSTRUCTION 00., INQ, 015 J a T P0131031- OT' MASSACHUSETTS;

' ESTOWN, YORK, A COR- METALLIC s'rnuo'runn.

Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented May 20, 1919.

Application filed December 1, 1916. Serial No. 134,427.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, RAYMOND G. BUL- LOCK and HARRY E. LEAVE, citizensof the United States, residing at Jamestown, in the county of Chautauqua and State of New York, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Metallic Structures, of which the followin is a specification.

This invention re ates to metallic building structures, and its prim object is to provide an improved library stack or shelving for books and the like, which may be conveniently and satisfactorily assembled and the several parts connected together in a very simple and convenient manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved shelf arrangement whereby the shelf may be very conveniently associated with the uprights of the structure and also readily changed from one elevation to another so as to vary the vertical distance between adjacent shelves.

With these and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully'described, shown in the drawings, and particularly set forth in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details may be made, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective View embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan section through adjacent uprights, the right and left hand halves of the figure being taken at difierent elevations.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a similar view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fi 5 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is afragmentary perspective of a detail of the structure.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail elevation showing one form of shelf-receiving slot in the upright.

Fig. 8 is a pers ective view of one end of one form of shel Fig. 9 is a plan view of the shelf shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail elevation showing another form of shelf-receiving slot.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the form of shelf or use in connection with the form of slot in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a bottom plan View of Fig. 11.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts in each of the figures of the drawing.

Each uprlght of the present invention is a built-up structure, and includes a central core or column embraced by two duplicate sheet metal upright members, each of which is substantially U-shaped in cross-section.

The central core or column of this invention is best shown in detail in Fig. 6 of the drawing, wherein 1 and 2 designate upright angle bars disposed at opposite sides of an upright filler bar 3. Corresponding members of the angle barsli'e flat against opposite sidesof the filler bar, while. the other corresponding members of the; angles are disposed in endwise alinement, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Each angle is connected to the filler bar in. any suitable manner. Toobtain the necessary length or 2, the meeting ends or terminals of the angles being machined to formv a square bearing as indicated at 4 so as toobtain an accurate fit and maintain the superimposed angles in proper relation durin the assemblage of the structure. The filFer bars 3 terminate short of the joints 4 between superimposed angles, so as to accommodate a floor beam 5 which extends through the space bounded by the separated fillers 3 and the spaced angle bars. The floor beam 5 is connected to the angle bars in any suitable manner, say for instance b bolts and nuts 6. It will here be explains that the filler bars 3 are not intended to support any part of the loadfas the'load is supported by the 'floor beams 5 and the uprights. The bar 3 is, used between the angles simply as a filler, and also to give to the angles a greater strength against the bending through compression. In other words, the bars 3 are fillers for the purpose of maintaining the angle barsseparated to accommodate the floor beams 5 and also serve as reinforcing members for the angles. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the floor beams support the glass floors 7 ,in the usual or any preferred manner.

As hereinbefore stated, the central core or column is embraced by duplicate sheet metal upright members designated generally as A and B, respectively. Each sheet metal upright member is bent from a single blank into substantially U shape so that its legs may straddle one edge portion of the filler bar, as plainly shown at the right hand side of Fig. 2 of the drawings. Each leg of the upright member is provided with an outwardly directed flange 8 which fits directly against the alined members of the respective angles to which it is connected by suitable fastenings 9 disposed at any preferred interval. The outer closed edge of the upright is rounded or bowed and provided with a central stiffening rib or bead 10. As best shown. in Fig. 4 of the drawings, it will be seen that the upright member, which is also a shelf-supporting member, as will hereinafter appear, rests at its bottom on the floor beam 5. It is preferred to have the bottom of the shelf-supporting member flat and devoid of a notch or recess to receive the floor beam 5, as it is more convenient in assembling the structure to merely rest the shelf-supporting member upon the floor beam rather than to be required to see that the floor beam is received within a notch or seat in the bottom of the shelf-supporting member.

It will, of course, be understood that a plurality of upright members or shelf-supporting members are employed, according to the height of the structure. The joints between adjacent upper and lower shelf-supporting members and the floor beam 5 are concealed and covered, as best indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, by a boxing made up of-duplicate box members C and D. Each box member is of a length to extend from front to rear of the shelf-supporting memher and is of a height to cover the joints. Along the upper edge of each box is an upstanding flange 11 which lies against the adjacent side of the shelf member, and a suitable fastening 12 extends through the upper flanges of the two boxes C and D and the sides of the shelf-supporting member, whereby these parts are connected together. At the bottom of each box there is a depending flange 13 which fits against the inner faces of the adjacent sides of the next below shelfsupporting member. A suitable filler strip 14 is disposed within the bottom of each box and bears against the inner face thereof and the filler bar 5 so as to maintain the bottom of the. box spaced at the proper interval from the filler bar 5.

For the purpose of connecting or tying together adjacent uprights, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, there is employed a cross-bar or cross-tie 15, preferably in the form of an angle bar having the upper member of the angle bar horizontal. At each end of this cross-bar there is a gusset plate 16 secured to the upright member of the cross-bar 15 by suitable fastenings 17, and also secured to one face of the adjacent upright angle bar of the column by means of suitable fastenings 18. This gusset plate is notched at 19 to accommodate the bottom end of the flange 8 of the adjacent shelf member A. This gusset plate overlaps the joint 4 between adjacent upright angle bars, and the fastenings 18 are at opposite sides of the joint so that the gusset plate also forms a connection between said angle bars.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 7 and 8, it will be seen that each upright is provided with a vertical series of transverse slots 20, whereby shelves may be supported upon the uprights, as will hereinafter be explained. Each slot intersects about one half of the front edge of theupright and terminates at its rear end short of the inner edge of the upright. The bottom edge of the slot is horizontal, while the upper edge inclines downwardly toward the inner or rear end of the slot so as to produce a tapered or wedge shaped slot. Near the front of the slot there is an upstanding shoulder 21, and that portion of the slot which lies between the shoulder and the front end of the slot is relatively narrow as compared with the intermediate portion of the slot. The shelf 22 is of sheet metal and is beaded at its front and rear edges. Each end of the shelf is provided with an ear or extension 23 extending outwardly in the plane of the body of the shelf and terminating at its front end in a shoulder 24 disposed in rear of the front edge of the shelf, while the rear end 25 of the ear terminates short of the rear edge of the shelf and is beveled or rounded. By referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that a shelf may be placed in position by moving it inwardly betweenadj acent uprights, the ears 23 and opposite endsrof the shelf being received in corresponding slots 20 in the shelfsupporting members. When the front end 24 of the ear 23 is passed in rear of the shoulder 21, the shelf may be lowered into a horizontal position with the ears 23 resting upon the straight or horizontal bottoms of the slots. By forcing the shelf rearwardly,

the rear ends 25 of the ears 23 may be wedged into the narrow rear ends of the 'slots so as to detachably hold the shelves in position and prevent looseness thereof. To,

remove a shelf, all that is necessary is to lift its front edge until the front ends 24 of the ears 23 come up above the shoulders 21,

whereupon the shelf may be conveniently' removed. By having a vertical series of slots 20. the shelf may be entered into an of the slots so as to vary the vertical pos1- tion of the shelf in a very simple and con- 1 0 venient manner. It will be noted that each end of the shelf at its front edge is curved or shaped so as to fit the curved front edge of the shelf-supporting member and thereby present a neat and attractive appearance.

In Figs. 10, 11 and 12, there has been shown another form of shelf and shelf-receiving slot. This slot is designated 26 and is straight throughout the greater part of its length, the top wall of the slot being beveled or inclined downwardly, as at 27, to contract the rear or inner end of the slot for the same purpose as described for the form shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. The slot 26 extends into the rounded front edge of the shelf-supporting member, and its bottom edge is provided with an upstanding shoulder 28 having an abrupt rear end 29 and a beveled or inclined front end 30. The shelf 31 is provided with an ear 32 which terminates at its rear end 33 short of the rear edge of the shelf, and extends entirely to the front edge of the shelf, there being a notch 34 provided in the ear slightly in rear of the front edge of the shelf. When a shelf of this character is put in place, each ear 32 is received in a slot 26, the beveled or inclined front end 30 of the shoulder 28 guiding and lifting the ear 32 so as to pass over the top of the shoulder 28, and when the shelf has been pushed back into its normal position, the shoulder 28 will be received in the notch or seat 34, whereby the shelf will come into a horizontal position and be held against edgewise looseness by reason of the shoulder 28 fitting in the notch or seat 34. The shelf can be readily removed by first lifting its front edge until the notch or seat 24 clears the shoulder 28, whereupon the shelf can be readily pulled out of the structure. As clearly shown in Fig. 12, each end of the front beaded edge of the shelf is beveled or cut away, as at 35, so as to fit or accommodate itself to the rounded front edge of the shelf-supporting member.

Having thus described the invention, what I we claim, is

1. A metal structure including a pair of spaced angle bars arranged back to back with corresponding flange members thereof in endwise alinement and the other corresponding flange members extending in opposite directions from the alined members, a second pair of angle bars having the same mutual relation and meeting the first pair in endwise alinement, a transverse bar extending through the interval between the angle bars and spanning the joint therebe-v tween, the transverse bar being connected to the several angle bars at opposite sides of the joint therebetween.

2. A metal structure including a pair of spaced angle bars arranged back to back with corresponding flange members thereof in endwise alinement and the other correspending members extending in opposite directions from the alined flange members, a second pair of angle bars having the same mutual relation and meeting the first pair in endwise alinement, a transverse bar extending through the interval between the angle bars and spanning the joint therebetween, and a. filler bar interposed between the angle bars and extending substantially across the Widths of said other flangemembers, the transverse bar being connected to the several angle bars at opposite sides of the joint there'between.

3. A metal structure comprising a pair of angle bars disposed back to back with corresponding flange members thereof in endwise alinement and the other corresponding flange members extending in opposite directions from the alined flange members, and a pair of U-shaped members, each of said U- shaped members embracing the other flange member of one of the angle bars,-and having the extremities of its sides connected to the respective angle bars.

4. 'A metal structure comprising a pair of spaced angle bars disposed back to back with corresponding flange members in endwise alinement and the other corresponding flange members extending in opposite directions from the alined flange members, a filler bar interposed between the angle bars and extending substantially across the widths of the last mentioned flange members, and a pair of members which are substantially U -shaped in cross-section, each U- shaped member embracing one edge of the filler bar and the adj acent flange member of one of the angle bars and having its extremities connected to the respective angle bars.

5. A metal structure comprising a pair of angle bars disposed back to back with corresponding flange members in endwise alinement and the other corresponding flange members extending in opposite directions from the alined flange members, a second pair of angle bars having the same relation and disposed end to end with the first-men tioned angle bars, a cross-bar extending between the angle bars, spanning the joint therebetween and connected to the respective angle bars, and two pairs of members each substantially U-shaped in cross-section, one pair being at one side of the cross-bar and the other pair at the opposite side of the cross-bar, each U-shaped member embracing a member of one of the angle bars and having its extremities connected to the angle bars.

6. A metallic structure comprising a pair of angle bars spaced apart and disposed with corresponding members in endwise alinement, a cross-bar extending between the spaced angle bars and connected thereto, other members at opposite sides of the cross-bar and connected to the angle bars and boxes at opposite sides of the cross-bar housing the fastenings between the crossbar and the angle bars and provided with flanges overlapping the said other members.

7. A metallic structure comprising an upright shelf-supporting member provided with a substantially horizontal slot having an open front end and an intermediate upright shoulder, and a shelf having a substantially horizontal terminal ear capable of being inserted into the slot and provided with a shoulder to take back of the shoulder in the slot and hold the shelf in place.

8, A metallic structure comprising an uplot, and said slot being of a depth to permit vertical movement of the ear in the slot for engaging and disengaging the ear of the shoulder with the ear of the slot.

9. A metallic structure comprising a shelfsupporting member having a slot opening through the front edge thereof and provided with an-upstandingshoulder, the rear portion of the slot being Wedge-shaped, and a shelf having an ear to enter the slot and 'be wedged in the wedge-shaped portion thereof, said ear being'provided With a shoulder to lie back of the shoulder in the slot, the slot having a depth to \permit vertical movement of the shelf to engage and disengage the shoulderthereof with respect to the shoulder in the slot.

RAYMOND G. BULLOCK. HARRY E; LEAVE. Witnesses:

HENRY G. FOSBERG, OsoAR 0. (lemon. 

